Palm Sunday

This past Sunday I had the privilege of worshipping at the Randolph Street United Methodist Church in Lexington, Virginia. I was invited by descendants of James "Deacon" Jackson, the legendary African-American barber who, according to local tradition, cut Robert E. Lee's hair. The shop's slogan was "If it is good enough for General Lee, it is good enough for you." After the communion service we all enjoyed fellowship and "dinner on the grounds" - delicious!

The Randolph Street church was started by the Reverend Ephraim Lawson in October of 1864. Lawson was a convert from Stonewall Jackson's black "Sabbath-school." The church pictured here is one of First Baptist Church on Main Street in Lexington. James Deacon Jackson was one of the founding fathers of First Baptist. James' son, Thomas, attended the Sunday school class after Stonewall Jackson's death.